Enigma: meaning, definitions and examples

Use this word when describing something or someone that is very difficult to understand or explain.

• The disappearance of the plane remains an enigma.
• She is an enigma; no one can figure out what she's thinking.

Suitable for situations where something is unknown, secret, or difficult to understand.

• There's a mystery surrounding the old mansion on the hill.
• The film is a gripping mystery from start to finish.

Good for referring to problems or questions that require ingenuity or patient solving, often used in a playful sense.

• The crossword puzzle took him hours to complete.
• They enjoyed solving the puzzle together.

Ideal for questions or statements deliberately phrased to require clever or unexpected answers, often in a playful or challenging context.

• He posed a riddle that stumped the entire class.
• Riddles are a great way to exercise the mind.

Best used for a difficult problem or question that seems impossible to solve.

• The issue presents a perplexing conundrum for scientists.
• How to balance work and family life is a conundrum many people face.